Spanish bishops express concern about treatment of immigrants

Madrid, Spain, Jun 15, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- The Committee on Migrations of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference has released a document expressing concern for immigrants in the country and for “the sad events, although isolated, of recent confrontations between immigrants and natives and between immigrants themselves.”

The bishops noted the “important change in Spain during the last decade and especially during recent years, due to the phenomenon of immigration. It is a change both in number and in diversity.”

Immigrants have been pouring into Spain from Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Magreb, Eastern Europe and the Far East.

In their statement, the bishops also note that many immigrants “come or try to come to Spain in precarious situations of exploitation and danger.”

The bishops expressed their commitment to creating “Christian communities made up of members of distinct cultures and nationalities” characterized by mutual respect, unity, and the sharing of talents.

“In this way the Church will contribute to the creation of a just, peaceful and fraternal society, respectful of diversity, welcoming to the stranger, in solidarity with the less fortunate and thankful for the service that our brother and sister immigrants provide to this society,” they concluded.